Envelope-fastener



A. DAHLEM- uvl-opef'astener.'

(No Model.)

No. 227,961. Patented May 25,1880.

FIGS.'

vF'IGZ.

FIGA..

NPETERS, FHOTO-LITMOGRM'HF. WASHINGTBN. D C.

UNITED STATES To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT DAHLEM, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Sauk Centre, in the county of Stearns and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to furnish a device which will prevent tampering with sealed letters.

It consists in a small metallic plate, which is provided with sharp points for-med on its ends, and having' a retaining ribbon or cord inserted in holes formed through it, all arranged as an d for thepurposes hereinafter fully described.

In the drawings, Figure l shows an envelope with the flap raised, having my device attached thereto. Fig. 3 shows the same with the ap turned down and secured. Figs. 2 and 5 show the method of tying the cord, and Fig. 4. shows a front and an edge view of the plate.

a is an envelope of ordinary make. b is the retaining-plate, made with two spurs or points, b b', projecting from its upper end, and with 011e point, b2, on its lower end. .These spurs or points are made sharp, so that they will readily pass through the paper of the envelope, and when first formed they stand out at right angles to the body of the plate, as shown in Fig. 4.

The spur b2 has formed through it the hole drawn tight.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT, DAHLEM, OF SAUK CENTRE, MINNESOTA.

ENVELOPE-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. ,227,961, dated May 25, 1880.

' Application filed March 23, 1880.

(No model.)

b3, to receive the ends of the cord or ribbon c,

which has previously been pnt through the holes b4 b4, made through the body of the plate. In applying the fastener the letter is first folded and placed in the envelope. The plate is then placed in the envelope, with the spur b2 -below the letter or between the folds of the letter. The spur Z12 is pressed through the folds of theletter and through the back of the envelope on a line where the point of the flap c3 will touch. The cord is placed to the right of the spur b2, and the flap a3 is sealed down. The spurs b b are pressed through the flap a2, and are turned down with a clinch-fastening, driving the points back through the ap a3.

The cord is now put through the hole b3 and The spur b2 is beaten down with a clinch-fastening.

In clinching the spurs the extreme point is rst turned inward nearly at a right angle, and then the whole spur is turned down flat, which drives the point through the envelope. When secured as thus described the contents ofthe envelope cannot be removed or tampered with without destroying the fastening and the envelope.

Having thus described my invention, what I'elailn, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The envelopefastener composed of the plate b, applied to the envelope a, and having on one end the spurs b b and on its opposite end the perforated spur b2, and having the intermediate holes, b4, and the cord c, inserted in the holes b4 and b3, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

ALBERT DAHLEM.

Witnesses:

B. D. JUDKINs, ANDw. J. SMITH. 

